Benefits Influencer highlights the strategists, thought leaders, and operatives who are impacting, innovating, and elevating the Employee Benefits and HR industry. Hosted by benefits industry veteran, entrepreneur, and President of Agency Leverage, Dennis Carlson Each episode delivers actionable insights, tactics and new innovations from employee benefits brokers, benefits advisors, HR professionals, insurance company executives, tech companies and others in the Employee Benefits and Human R ...
…
continue reading
Tune in for thought-provoking conversations with smart, creative thinkers in the fields of benefits, economics, government, demography and more. This show is brought to you by the American Benefits Council, a Washington D.C. trade association that advocates for employers, connecting public policy and private-sector solutions to shape employee benefits for the evolving global workforce.
…
continue reading
1
Selectpath Benefits and Financial Inc.
Selectpath - Benefits & Pension, Financial Planning, and HR Management
A weekly podcast that discusses Benefits and Pension, Financial Planning, Human Resource Management, and HRIS and Payroll. Based in London, On, Selectpath takes a customized approach to help every client define their goals and overcome their roadblocks. We have been in business for over 20 years and have the expert team of advisors, specialized knowledge, and industry relationships to get you to your destination.
…
continue reading
1
Digital Health Companies: A Benefits Consultant Perspective w/ Ryan Koo
31:26
31:26
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
31:26
Dennis chats with Ryan Koo, an Employee Benefits Consultant who specializes in working with digital health companies. Ryan has just returned from the HLTH conference and shares his recap of the conference as well as his view on the digital health space. Tune in to learn about how digital health companies should be thinking about the employer channe…
…
continue reading
1
Innovating in Employee Benefits w/ Garrett Viggers
32:57
32:57
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
32:57
Dennis Carlson and Benefits Influencer return with a recap of InsurTech Connect (ITC) with CEO & Co-Founder of Zoë Foundry, Garrett Viggers. Check out Zoë Foundry at www.zoefoundry.com Reach out at hello@zoefoundry.com Benefits Influencer is the #1 podcast for Employee Benefits Brokers and Advisors.Dennis Carlson
…
continue reading
1
Big Benefits for Small Business w/ Ty Wang
23:07
23:07
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
23:07
Dennis chats with Ty Wang, Co-Founder & CEO of Angle Health. Angle Health wants to make health benefits more accessible by connecting vendors that handle different services like telehealth and health savings accounts on a single platform. That way, employers of all sizes can offer a similar stack to the benefits you’d expect from a Fortune 500, but…
…
continue reading
1
Common Sense, Common Cause: Talking Health Care Value with National Alliance CEO Shawn Gremminger
38:15
38:15
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
38:15
Shawn Gremminger recently assumed the role of president and CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Associations -- a Council member and frequent ally on health care policy. In this episode, we discuss the National Alliance's unique structure and composition, its policy priorities and the importance of getting value for every health ca…
…
continue reading
1
Exemplify #1 – Tapping into the Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health
1:01:33
1:01:33
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
1:01:33
What we eat can have a profound effect on many aspects of mental health, including depression, anxiety and stress. We address the motivation and knowledge needed to make healthy nutrition choices for optimal mood as well as how to manage and prevent common mood disorders with nutrition. Lisa Spriet is a Registered Dietitian and Co-Owner of NutriPro…
…
continue reading
1
AI and The Future of Healthcare
32:38
32:38
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
32:38
Dennis welcomes SVP & Senior Partner at Burnham Benefits, Chris Krusiewicz back to the podcast. Chris has been tracking AI as it relates to healthcare and employee benefits for years and brings his latest insights to the benefits community. Chris and Dennis discuss AI and its impact on the employee benefits and healthcare industries today and what …
…
continue reading
1
Winning New Business in a Micro-Niche w/ Charles Specht
26:05
26:05
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
26:05
This episode originally aired in January 2020 Charles Specht from The Permission Group shares how Benefits Brokers who target a micro niche can grow a massive book of business and better serve their clients. Connect with Charles at charles@permissiongroup.comDennis Carlson
…
continue reading
1
Discover Your Secret Sauce w/ Becky Patel
27:46
27:46
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
27:46
This episode orginally aired in March 2022. Ned Schaut talks with Becky Patel, CEO at Amwins Connect, about mentorship. Becky has over 35 years of experience in this business and shares the importance of both having a mentor and being a mentor. During the conversation they focus on the need to be authentic and know your secret sauce in the business…
…
continue reading
1
Windows on Benefits: Introducing New Board Chair Fred Thiele (Microsoft Corporation)
48:15
48:15
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
48:15
Fred Thiele, vice president, global benefits and mobility for Microsoft, will serve as chair of the American Benefits Council's Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 term. In this episode, he speaks with host Jason Hammersla about his company's unique approach to benefits, outlines his priorities for the next year and drops a few tales of questionab…
…
continue reading
1
Benefits Communication Strategies to Drive Value w/ Chesley Gaddis
20:22
20:22
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
20:22
This episode orginally aired in July 2020. Dennis and Chesley discuss ways to make employee benefits communication meaningful, relevant and timely in order to drive value for employers and employees. Connect with Chesley: chesley.gaddis@intrepid7.com http://intrepid7.com/Dennis Carlson
…
continue reading
1
Executive Benefits: A Tool to Attract & Retain w/ Rachel Rutherford
25:55
25:55
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
25:55
Dennis chats with Rachel Rutherford of ArmadaCare about Executive Benefits and how to position Executive Medical reimbursement to attract and retain top talent. Find Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgann/ Reach out at rrutherford@aramadacare.com visit https://armadacare.com/ for more info…
…
continue reading
1
Leveraging Social Media for Sales w/ Spencer Smith, CSFS
28:06
28:06
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
28:06
Dennis chats with Spencer Smith about how benefits advisors can leverage social media to grow their pipeline and increase sales. Find Spencer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Check out Spencer's podcast here: https://spencerharlansmith.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerSmithSelfFunded For more info on…
…
continue reading
1
Winning with Ancillary: 3 Strategies for Benefits Advisors w/ Kevin Curran
38:22
38:22
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
38:22
Dennis chats with Kevin Curran, Founding Partner of Salt Margin a Baldwin Risk Company. Listen in as they discuss ways Benefits Brokers can win with a too often overlooked part of the benefits package, ancillary. Kevin outlines three ways brokers and advisors can get started with becoming true consultants on ancillary, just like they already are on…
…
continue reading
1
Positioning Disability Insurance: Strategies for Benefits Brokers w/ Chris Carlson
26:51
26:51
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
26:51
Dennis chats with The D.I. Coach, Chris Carlson about how benefits brokers and advisors can better position (or start positioning for the first time) disability insurance with their clients. Chris began his insurance career as a Brokerage Consultant with Provident Life and Accident in 1984. After working with Provident as a Consultant, District Man…
…
continue reading
1
Executive Benefits: Solutions for What Keeps Owners Up at Night w/ Helen Ornellas
25:28
25:28
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
25:28
Dennis chats with Executive Benefits expert, Helen Ornellas. Helen is the President and Founder of Ornellas & Associates Insurance Services. Based in California, Helen Ornellas specializes in Executive Benefits using Life Insurance, Disability, and Long Term Care to provide solutions. With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Hele…
…
continue reading
1
The Hidden Cost of Bad Benefits Data w/ Shannon Goggin
23:37
23:37
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
23:37
Dennis chats with Noyo CEO and Co-Founder, Shannon Goggin. Listen as they discuss how poor data quality prevents the benefits industry from delivering the modern experiences today’s consumers want. Addressing these challenges at the carrier and ben-admin level with clean, always updated enrollment data lets HR professionals and brokers truly remove…
…
continue reading
1
Predictable Growth for Benefits Advisors w/ Kevin Trokey
31:41
31:41
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
31:41
Dennis chats with Kevin Trokey. Kevin is the Founding Partner of Q4intelligence, a marketing and sales enablement firm committed to the preservation and transformation of the independent agency system. He writes prolifically regarding the many challenges being faced by today’s agencies, providing guidance to overcome those challenges. He is a frequ…
…
continue reading
1
Leveraging Thought Leadership to Win Small Group Business w/ Rosario Avila & Andrew McNeil
29:55
29:55
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
29:55
Dennis interviews Benefits Advisors Andrew McNeil and Rosario Avila of Arrow Benefits Group. They discuss how winning awards and writing columns contribute to their position as thought leaders in the community and with their clients. They also discuss strategies they've found work well with small group clients in a post-COVID environment. Find Andr…
…
continue reading
1
Why Benefits Brokers & Advisors Should Address Student Debt Now w/ Laurel Taylor
29:55
29:55
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
29:55
Six years ago, Laurel Taylor was on the fast track to reaching her career goals. But the weight of the student debt she and her mother had racked up to fund her education rang in at almost $200,000 — and could have held her back from reaching her full potential. Laurel took matters into her own hands, and in 2016 founded Candidly (formerly FutureFu…
…
continue reading
1
Why Self-Billing for Benefits is a Win-Win-Win
29:55
29:55
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
29:55
Dennis chats with CEO of Beneration, Josh Winigrad. They discuss why every benefits broker should be talking about self-billing with their clients. Josh shares: How to master self-bills by learning the COUNTIFS and SUMIFS formulas. Why you should encourage your clients to use self-bills with carriers rather than EDI feeds. The danger of self-auditi…
…
continue reading
1
Employee-Led Benefits w/ Jaclyn Chen
31:00
31:00
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
31:00
Dennis chats with Jaclyn Chen, Co-Founder & CEO of Benepass. Benepass is a flexible technology platform that allows employers to offer employees robust categories of perks and benefits around things like wellness, mental health, entertainment, and more. Check out https://www.getbenepass.com/ to learn more. Benefits Influencer is the #1 highest rate…
…
continue reading
1
True Transparency: An Advisor, Employer, and Ecosystem Perspective w/ Brittney Bello
40:09
40:09
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
40:09
Dennis interviews Co-Founder & President of SolV Independent Insurance Associates, Brittney Bello. Employee Benefits Brokers and Advisors will want to listen in as Dennis and Brittney go beyond the buzzword of "transparency" to uncover what it looks like when advisors, employers, and the benefits ecosystem all align around transparency. Find Brittn…
…
continue reading
1
The Practical Realities of Small Group Medical w/ Nancy Giacolone
21:28
21:28
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
21:28
Dennis chats with Advisor, Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host and President & Owner of Olympic Crest Insurance, Nancy Giacolone. Reach out to Nancy and follow her via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-giacolone/ Check out Olympic Crest Insurance here: https://olympiccrest.com/ ---- Benefits Influencer is the #1 highest rated podcast for Employ…
…
continue reading
1
Global Benefits for US Businesses w/ Lewis Mosley
36:39
36:39
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
36:39
Dennis sits down with Lewis Mosley, Founder & Director of UK-based BAS to discuss how US-based benefits brokers and advisors can help their clients with global employees. Lewis is a Director, Founder and lead Guardian Consultant at BAS He has over 10 years’ experience working within the global employee benefits space, most of which have been spent …
…
continue reading
1
How Brokers & Agencies Can Take Control of Q4 and Beyond w/ Jenn Walsh
31:20
31:20
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
31:20
Dennis interviews CEO and Founder of GenuineShift, Jenn Walsh. Follow Jenn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walshjenn/ About Jenn: Jenn Walsh is the founder and CEO of GenuineShift, a business consulting company that delivers learning & development programs to fuel growth, optimize profitability and minimize friction for insurance brokerage…
…
continue reading
1
The Connected Future of the Employee Benefits Marketplace w/ Ryan Sachtjen
34:40
34:40
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
34:40
Dennis interviews ThreeFlow Co-Founder and CEO, Ryan Sachtjen. ThreeFlow is a benefits placement system that benefits brokers and carriers can use to work together to be more efficient. Visit https://www.threeflow.com/ to learn more. --- Benefits Influencer is the #1 highest rated podcast for Employee Benefits Brokers and Advisors. Visit www.benefi…
…
continue reading
1
What New Brokers Need to Know w/ Vinny Catalano
36:06
36:06
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
36:06
Dennis Carlson returns as host of Benefits Influencer to interview Employee Benefits Broker Vinny Catalano, SVP & Partner at Lockton Insurance Brokers. ---- Benefits Influencer is the #1 highest rated podcast for Employee Benefits Brokers and Advisors. Visit www.benefitsinfluencer for additional episodes and to get in touch.…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 45: Bigger Data: The First Step to Improving Health Equity (with Jennifer Haley, Urban Institute)
39:09
39:09
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
39:09
Diversity, equity and inclusion is a priority for many of the American Benefits Council’s member companies, who have in turn directed us to engage with these issues as they relate to employee benefits. Over the previous 12 months, the Council has established a task force to address social determinants of health and joined with a number of other est…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 44: Follow the Leader: Getting to Know the Council’s New Board Chair (with Tracy Watts, Mercer)
34:52
34:52
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
34:52
If the American Benefits Council is to be a leader in the employee benefits world, we must have strong internal leadership. The Council’s policy agenda is carefully considered and set by our Policy Board of Directors, made up of knowledgeable and dedicated human resource and benefits professionals at each of our most engaged member companies. Holdi…
…
continue reading
1
Episode No. 43: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: A Round-Up of the Council's International Benefits Activity
34:05
34:05
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
34:05
For many multinational companies, figuring out how to scale employee benefits for a global population is a critical element of their economic competitiveness. But if providing comprehensive employee benefit programs in the United States is like playing advanced chess, doing so on a global basis is like playing advanced chess on a moving speedboat. …
…
continue reading
Benefits Influencer is taking a short hiatus this summer but will return soon with exciting new guests and topics. Stay tuned! Want to engage new leads on auto-pilot and increase your benefits revenue? Check out heyhunter.io and schedule a demo today.Agency Leverage
…
continue reading
1
Episode 42: Into the Deep End: The Big Splash of Pooled Employer Plans (with Rick Jones, Aon)
30:42
30:42
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
30:42
Even as policymakers discuss and debate the so-called "retirement savings gap," employers and others are starting to take part in a newly-minted coverage expansion tool: the SECURE Act of 2019 birthed the inception of the Pooled Employer Plan (PEP), which allows separate companies employers to team up and share plan administration for their collect…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 41: Get Out the Map: Paid Leave and the State of Play
47:43
47:43
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
47:43
Paid leave may not be an “employee benefit,” strictly speaking, in the same way that health coverage and retirement coverage are. But providing it has become a significant pressure point for employers, especially as an increasing number of states and localities have erected their own mandates over the last decade. In this episode, host Jason Hammer…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 40: No Surprises, Please: The Twisty Tale of 'Surprise' Medical Billing
48:57
48:57
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
48:57
The 2020 enactment of legislation to eliminate “surprise” medical billing was not just the most significant health care coverage legislation since the Affordable Care Act. It was also the culmination of a remarkable show of (relatively) swift and bipartisan lawmaking. Since that enactment, however, the story has taken dizzying twists and turns, wit…
…
continue reading
1
Discover Your Secret Sauce w/ Becky Patel
28:27
28:27
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
28:27
Ned talks with Becky Patel, CEO at Amwins Connect, about mentorship. Becky has over 35 years of experience in this business and shares the importance of both having a mentor and being a mentor. During the conversation they focus on the need to be authentic and know your secret sauce in the business. ---------------------------------------------- Hu…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 39: Plumbing and the PBGC: How Plans and Participants are Getting Stuck
38:52
38:52
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
38:52
Even casual observers know that, over the past several decades, the nation's retirement system has evolved from a predominantly defined benefit system to a predominantly defined contribution system. That said, there are still nearly 47,000 defined benefit plans in the United States, (half of which are insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corpora…
…
continue reading
1
Employers Hold The Key To Fixing Healthcare In America w/ Josh Butler
29:59
29:59
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
29:59
Ned interviews Josh Butler, President of Butler Benefits in Amarillo Texas. Josh has been in the industry for 15 years solving increasingly complex problems for clients. Josh shares his passion to help solve the America’s healthcare cost crisis. ---------------------------------------------- Hunter! Is the Automated Sales Assistant for Benefits Bro…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 38: Nontraditional Workers and Barriers to Retirement Savings
46:26
46:26
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
46:26
The current labor market is in flux, with many industries still in pandemic recovery while the "great resignation" creating a talent vacuum. Contingent or "nontraditional" work may not be as trendy a topic as it was five years ago, but it could represent a resource for companies seeking to fill important roles. In this episode, host Jason Hammersla…
…
continue reading
1
Hyper Focused With A Niche w/ Cory Friedman
31:15
31:15
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
31:15
Ned and Cory discuss the massive success and recognition Cory has experienced through focusing his efforts on a very specific niche. Cory shares how to have a niche and how to provide a depth of value to ensure you become a needed resource. Cory is passionate about what he does and believes other Benefits Consultants can find success by focussing o…
…
continue reading
1
Episode No. 37: Still V.B.I.D.: Chronic Disease and the Drive to Health Care Value
46:04
46:04
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
46:04
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease, while 4 in 10 have two or more. The CDC also estimates that 90% of the nation’s health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions. And it’s very likely that the pandemic has ex…
…
continue reading
1
2022 Benefits Trends w/ Alex Frommeyer
31:55
31:55
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
31:55
Ned talks with Alex Frommeyer, CEO of Beam Dental about benefit trends for 2022. They discuss employees' increased desire for holistic benefits, the growing demand for a quality digital user experience, and the big shift from office-centric benefits to person-centric benefits. ---------------------------------------------- Hunter! Is the Automated …
…
continue reading
1
Creating Freedom In Your Agency w/ Hoy Kim
36:56
36:56
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
36:56
Ned brings on Hoy Kim, the operations guru from Ned’s very own employee benefits agency. Eight years ago Ned found himself working way more hours than he wanted and going home worn out for his family. He went on a journey to find a solution. Over the past 7 years Hoy has created systems and processes that have helped their team become more effectiv…
…
continue reading
Ned reflects on what he learned from 2021 and how he will implement it in 2022. Helpful links: The One Thing - https://the1thing.com/ Atomic Habits - https://jamesclear.com/ The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership - https://conscious.is/ EOS and Traction - https://www.eosworldwide.com/ The Core Value Equation - https://therealdarius.com/book/ --…
…
continue reading
1
Creating A Marketing Strategy w/ Jessica Du Bois
28:27
28:27
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
28:27
Ned interviews benefits leader Jessica Du Bois as she shares how any agency can build a successful marketing strategy. She emphasizes building solid connections with clients based on relationship, expertise, and technology. ---------------------------------------------- Hunter! Is the Automated Sales Assistant for Benefits Brokers. Go to agencyleve…
…
continue reading
1
Online Marketing Basics w/ Jeff Grocky
28:19
28:19
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
28:19
Ned talks with Jeff Grocky about basic marketing every benefits broker should be doing. Jeff works with many benefits brokers and consults/supports them in having an online presence. In this conversation you will discover some helpful hacks to simplify your marketing process. ---------------------------------------------- Hunter! Is the Automated S…
…
continue reading
1
The ROI of Offering Childcare Benefits w/ Jessica Chang
25:19
25:19
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
25:19
Ned and Jessica discuss the importance of employers supporting their employees who are parents. Employers are impacted when employees can't come into work due to lack of childcare. Jessica is CEO and Co-Founder of WeeCare which provides concierge service to help employees find childcare that meets their needs. --------------------------------------…
…
continue reading
1
How To Close Deals With Tech w/ David Bryant
38:42
38:42
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
38:42
Ned talks with BenTech leader David Bryant. David shares how he and his small team utilized technology to quickly grow his benefits agency. David built many of the tech tools he needed and eventually started MonarkHQ to make these tools available to other benefits brokers. ---------------------------------------------- Hunter! Is the Automated Sale…
…
continue reading
1
How To Cultivate Leads
22:30
22:30
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
22:30
Ned Schaut takes a minute to reflect on the past year as new host of Benefits Influencer. The number one question he gets is, “how do I find more leads?” As a benefits broker and marketing agency owner, Ned shares personal insight on how to continue building a book of business once you have reached a level of success. ------------------------------…
…
continue reading
1
California and Federal Legislative Update w/ Dawn McFarland & Faith Borges
35:48
35:48
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
35:48
In this episode, Dawn McFarland, the VP of Legislation on the board of the California Association of Health Underwriters, and Faith Borges, the Lobbyist for CAHU, join Ned Schaut to give a legislative update for California and Nationally. We discuss what is happening in the market and what to pay attention to over the coming months. We also dive in…
…
continue reading
1
Real Insurance Innovation w/ Mike Zarrillo
25:21
25:21
Прослушать позже
Прослушать позже
Списки
Нравится
Нравится
25:21
Ned sits down with Mike Zarrillo, Chief Revenue Officer of Brella to dig into insurance technology and innovation. They discuss opportunities to utilize cutting edge technology, not only for ease of use, but to provide a better user experience as well. ---------------------------------------------- Hunter! Is the Automated Sales Assistant for Benef…
…
continue reading